McDONNELL DOUGLAS’ NEW LIGHT TWIN HELICOPTER: MD EXPLORER

Seven years ago, the McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company (MDHC) set out to develop a new light twin-engined helicopter in the 4,000-to-8,000-pound class that would become the standard for the worldwide helicopter market. We have been working at it seriously for the last five years and have established an international team of aerospace companies to assist in the development. This eight-place helicopter is officially designated Model 900/901 (depending on engine selection), and has lately been named the “MD Explorer.” Previously, it had been known as “MDX” (Figures 1 and 2). It has been designed to have the performance and utilization characteristics that will make it a very profitable machine for the utility operators, and can be readily converted to serve the executive and military markets. Its preliminary and critical design review stages are behind us. The next milestone is first flight in the fall of 1992, followed by FAA Type Certification before the end of 1993.